Friday, June 01, 2007 Oledan: Snags By Radzini Oledan Slice of Life
"WHAT unites us is much greater than what separates us ... It is necessary ... to rid ourselves of stereotypes, of old habits and above all, it is necessary to recognize the unity that already exists." Pope John Paul II
I think it is worth our while to pause every now and then, to step back and remind ourselves just how far we've come in terms of respecting others viewpoints, choices and options.
Cultural tolerance is an oft-repeated word in a community striving for peace amidst many differences, and of the challenges of social realities.
In the Davao City and elsewhere in Mindanao, community and religious leaders have taken steps to affirm the unity that already exists, as against the differences among peoples.
Inter-religious dialogue could be the evidence of the unity that already exists and it is encouraging.
The "unity that already exists," of which the Pope speaks, is the life of the community, and a tacit consensus, that "what unites us" is at least as important as "what separates us."
Interfaith dialogue, however, does not materialize, fully developed, out of a vacuum. It evolves gradually, in response to the needs and aspirations of the broader community of which its participants are members.
It has developed as an informal peace mechanisms in indigenous peoples’ community and continues to the present, alongside the formal peace dialogue.
The mandate for the dialogue is an expression of genuine respect and friendship, between and among peoples and cultures.
As a document prepared by the Vatican's Secretariat for Non-Christians puts it: "Dialogue does not grow out of the opportunism of the tactics of the moment, but arises from reasons which experience and reflection, and even the difficulties themselves, have deepened."
Perhaps the only mistake we can make now, is to allow optimism to become complacency and allowing the non violence way of resolving conflicts to translate to lack of outrage over social ills and malfeasance.
Interfaith dialogue has accomplished a lot in the maintenance of peace in communities. Deep trust has been given by the community to religious leaders in resolving conflicts and in leading the way in development initiatives.
But this is the same trust which had been exploited, again and again. Look hard at the History of Mindanao and how some groups have painted blood in the name of peace.
The challenge is to pause and look back, while we build on the future.
One of the most enduring impediments to peace is leading the people to compromise their own values and beliefs.
